Arizona’s School Choice Revolution: A New Era in Education

By the Arizona Free Enterprise Club |

In the aftermath of the 2024 election, attention has largely centered on President-elect Donald Trump’s remarkable victory. Trump triumphed in every swing state, defeating Vice President Kamala Harris decisively in both the electoral and popular votes.

However, the election loss was not limited to Harris. In Arizona, the defeat resonated deeply for teachers’ unions and groups opposed to school choice, such as Save Our Schools Arizona (SOSAZ). The election transformed into a pivotal moment regarding educational policies, and these groups faced significant setbacks.

The groundwork for their struggle was laid earlier this year when Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs aimed to overhaul the popular Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program during the legislative session. Despite her efforts and the support from legislative Democrats, media outlets, and union advocates, substantial regulation changes did not materialize. Most provisions of the ESA program remained intact, with only minor adjustments implemented in the budget.

This outcome parallels previous challenges faced by similar organizations attempting to curtail school choice initiatives.